OUR HISTORY

 The organizing of the faith community that would be St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church convened with forty-seven souls in the summer of 2000 at St. Bridget's Church, 8 Mark Street in Rochester, New York. 

Those congregated selected Rev. James H. Evans, Jr., Ph.D., as the church's founding pastor; and on October 6, 2000, solidified the name of the church, which was formed by merging other iterations. Additionally, ad hoc committees were formed to organize the new faith community to include: Site Selection, Worship, Finance, Church Operations, Constitution, Music, Public Relations, and Youth Outreach; and three Trustees were elected. 

The inaugural service of St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church was held on Sunday, November 5, 2000, at the Interfaith Chapel, on the campus of the University of Rochester. The church began with forty-eight members; the inaugural worship service had one hundred seventy-six in attendance. We have lived into Tabernacle in terms of temporary worship space. In January 2001, we relocated to The Baptist Temple 

(January -October 2001), after which we moved to Breath of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church on Clifford Avene. Membership grew to 143 during our three-year sojourn in that worship space. By 2004, our membership had grown to 300, and in November 2004, we were blessed to move into our own worship space at 1261 Dewey Avenue, where we would spend twenty years. 

In June 2016, Rev. Evans was asked to serve as Dean of Education with Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches & Ministries. With his acceptance of the position, Rev. Evans was elevated to the bishopric, of said Reformation. With the added responsibilities, Rev. Linda Hickmon Evans became Co-Pastor at St. Luke Tabernacle in 2017. 

As with all churches at the time, St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church shut its doors in the aftermath of a State mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged our country, our families and our congregation. With plans to reopen months later, the building had sustained structural damage from disuse. During that same period, our beloved founding pastor, Bishop James H. Evans, Jr., passed in August 2022. 

In September 2022, Rev. Linda Hickmon Evans, Ph.D., assumed the pastorate of St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church. In June 2023, Rev. Linda was named as Dean of Education of Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches and Ministries, succeeding her beloved husband. 

In February 2024, St. Luke Tabernacle moved to Linehan Chapel at Nazareth University. In this space began by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Rev. Linda serves as the Protestant Chaplin, and advisor to the student led Christian Fellowship Organization. 

Throughout its history, St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church as been actively involved members of American Baptist Churches, USA/Rochester Genesee Region; Progressive National Baptist Convention; and most recently, Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches & Ministries. In each of these bodies, both the Evans's and members of the congregation have been actively involved as officers and program participants, presenters, and/or preachers. 

St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church continues to be a thriving congregation, committed to serving God and the community in which we are located. We are thankful for the many years of groundbreaking ministry that have been fostered in this place by the creative and spirit filled members and friends who grace this community of faith. 

History is still being made; we welcome you to join us at Linehan Chapel at Nazareth University at 10 am!